Citizens Advice Scotland Constituency Profiles

EDM number 904 in 2010-12, proposed by Anne Begg on 26/10/2010.
Categorised under the topics of Financial services and Incomes and poverty.

That this Housewelcomes the constituency profiles prepared by Citizens Advice Scotland on the employment and support allowance (ESA); notes that in 2009 citizens advice bureaux in Scotland dealt with over 180,000 new benefit issues, over 15,000 of which were regarding ESA; further notes that over 200,000 incapacity benefit claimants in Scotland will undergo medical assessments for ESA in the next four years and almost a quarter will be found fit for work; recognises that the current medical assessment process for ESA is unfit for purpose and has incorrectly found sick and disabled people fit for work; further notes that evidence from bureaux across Scotland has found that 70 per cent. of clients who appealed against their ESA decision and were represented by a bureau adviser have had their appeal upheld; acknowledges that Citizens Advice Scotland's use of client evidence means that it speaks with authority on relevant and pressing issues that directly affect people living in Scotland; and calls on the Government to ensure that benefit claimants who are unable to work are correctly assessed for the support and assistance they need.

This motion has been signed by a total of 17 MPs.